Global Health Observatory (GHO) data

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Chemicals

Chemicals are part of our daily life. All living and inanimate matter is made up of chemicals and virtually every man-made product involves the use of chemicals. Many chemicals can, when properly used, significantly contribute to the improvement of our quality of life, health and well-being. But other chemicals are highly hazardous and can negatively affect our health and environment when improperly managed.

It is estimated that in 2004 at least 4.9 million deaths (8.3% of all deaths) were due to environmental exposure to selected chemicals. The largest contributors include indoor smoke from solid fuel use, outdoor air pollution and second-hand smoke (refer to separate GHO pages on these chemicals), followed by occupational particulates, chemicals involved in acute poisonings, and pesticides involved in self-poisonings. To date the assessments cover only a limited number of chemicals or their mixtures for which data were available. The burden of disease from chemicals which could not yet be assessed at global level remains unknown.

Exposure to leadOverall, 99% of children affected by high exposure to lead live in low- and middle-income countries